Drew Wilson
Commercial law firm Becker is expanding its lobbying efforts with the addition of two new hires.
The firm announced Monday that Alfonso Lopez is joining its Washington DC practice. Lopez is currently a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, where he serves as the Whip of the Virginia House Democratic Caucus.
During his time in the House, he has backed successful legislation to create the Virginia Affordable Housing Trust Fund, establish the Small Business Investment Grant Fund, expand Medicaid coverage to immigrant mothers and children, and raise the cap on nonresidential solar net metering in Virginia.
“I know and have worked with several of the lobbyists in Becker’s DC office,” Lopez said. “They have an excellent client base and enjoy a stellar reputation.”
The Fort Lauderdale-based law firm is also expanding on its home turf with the addition of Latoya Sheals to its State Legislative Lobbying team.
Sheals is no stranger to Tallahassee — she’s the former chief of staff and legislative assistant to Orlando Democratic Sen. Victor Torres.
“I look forward to collaborating and advocating with Becker’s experienced, bipartisan lobbying practice and assisting clients across Florida,” said Sheals, an alumna of Florida A&M University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Becker’s Government Law and Lobbying Practice Chair Bernie Friedman welcomed the new hires in a Monday statement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alfonso and Latoya to our bipartisan, diverse practice. It’s been an exciting time as Becker has been in growth mode with the addition of Mike Grissom as a Senior Government Relations Director in Tallahassee and Steven Blattner as a Government Relations Consultant in D.C. earlier this year,” he said.
